Background: Sheliky Sanchez appears in court on Aug. 9 (KOB). Inset: Joseph Andrus (Facebook).
A teenager in New Mexico confessed to police that he allegedly killed an Uber driver to “blow off steam,” citing the “immense stress” he was experiencing.
Sheliky Sanchez, 18, appeared in court on Saturday, following his recent arrest on first-degree murder charges for the fatal shooting of Uber driver Joseph Andrus. The criminal complaint reviewed by Law&Crime revealed that Sanchez claimed overwhelming stress led him to have his girlfriend order an Uber with the alleged intention of committing murder.
The complaint outlines that just after midnight on Aug. 7, Sanchez instructed his girlfriend to order an Uber, indicating that “his friend had a car he could borrow and he was going to retrieve it.” However, it seems he had more sinister intentions.
Police interviews first focused on Sanchez’s girlfriend. The complaint notes that Sanchez allegedly had her use her account to request the Uber. She reported to police that not long after witnessing Sanchez get into the Uber and leave, she received an automated call from Uber indicating the ride “had come to a stop” incomplete.
She reached out to Sanchez to check on the situation, and he assured her everything was fine. He returned later to her home in a black Ford Escape, later identified as belonging to Andrus. They then proceeded to McDonald’s in the supposedly stolen vehicle to get a frappe. Subsequently, they went to a local park to remove the car’s license plate.
Upon being questioned by police, Sanchez claimed to have purchased the Ford Escape on Facebook Marketplace for $1,900 in cash from someone named “Angel.” He allegedly told police this transaction occurred on Aug. 6.
Police then asked Sanchez about the Uber ride he took on Aug. 7, to which Sanchez replied, “Uber ride. Thursday morning. What Uber ride?” He then claimed that he was asleep at his grandmother’s house by 9 p.m. or 10 p.m. on the night of Aug. 6 and did not wake up until 8 a.m. the next morning.
When police informed Sanchez that the vehicle he was driving belonged to an Uber driver who was shot dead in the early morning hours of Aug. 7, Sanchez responded, “What the f—?”
At that point, according to the complaint, police asked Sanchez if he wanted to tell them what really happened. He complied, allegedly telling police that in the early morning of Aug. 7, “he wanted to let some steam off due to ‘so much stress and so much bulls—.'” However, he did not want to take it out on “certain people,” instead allegedly targeting “anybody he could see or find.”
That was when he asked his girlfriend to order an Uber, police said. Sanchez allegedly told officers that he “cocked” his gun before getting in the car to make sure he got the first shot off in case the driver tried to attack him first. Once he was in the car and the ride began, Sanchez allegedly told police that Andrus “was actually really cool,” adding, “He had a whole ass talk with me and everything.”
When Andrus arrived at the drop-off location Sanchez had provided, Sanchez allegedly told him to get out of the car. But according to Sanchez, Andrus “was taking way too long” to listen to him. As Andrus started exiting the car, Sanchez allegedly said he shot him “like five times,” leaving him lying on the ground after he allegedly stole his vehicle. Sanchez then allegedly told police he got back out of the car and shot him again, remaining there to watch him die before getting back in the car and driving away.
Andrus was pronounced dead at the scene after being found by police.
According to the complaint, Sanchez told police that he “felt bad for him a little bit, but just getting that satisfaction out, out of the way, it’s like a relief. Like taking an in and out breath.”
Police stated that they asked Sanchez if he ordered the Uber to steal the car or shoot the driver, to which he answered, “to shoot him.” Sanchez went on to say that Andrus “seemed like a good guy,” but added, “I don’t really go for good people.” He also told police that he “wished he picked a different driver that looked big and buff.”
Local NBC affiliate KOB obtained a comment from Andrew Hasbun, the head of safety communications at Uber, who said, “We are shocked and heartbroken for Joseph’s family and loved ones after this senseless attack. We’ve been in contact with the police and are grateful for their work to bring those responsible to justice.”
Andrus’ mother told KOB: “Joseph is so very loved. He is a light in this world that can’t be dimmed. We deeply appreciate the Albuquerque Police Department and respectfully request that any questions be directed to them.”
Sanchez was charged with first-degree murder, armed robbery, and tampering with evidence. He is being held at the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center without bail.
